MSHSL Votes Unanimously To Add Shot Clock to HS Basketball in 2023

(KDLM) – It’s been a topic of debate among high school athletic directors, coaches, and players for years: should Minnesota add a shot clock to varsity-level basketball games.

Wednesday morning, they finally got their answer with the MSHSL Board of Directors voting unanimously to implement a shot clock beginning in 2023-24.

The motion is approved–> Minnesota high schools will implement the 35 second shot clock in varsity girls and boys basketball beginning in the 2023 season.

— MSHSL (@MSHSL) December 2, 2021

The MSHSL surveyed schools across the state and found that 18% of Minnesota high schools already have shot clocks installed in their gyms and that 31% of member schools could have them installed prior to the 2023-24 season.

Detroit Lakes High School is among the 18% of schools that already have shot clocks installed.

“We’re ready,” says DL Activities Director Rob Nielsen. “We’ve got shot clocks in the Ralph Anderson Gymnasium and the new gym, too. We had shot clocks in the Ralph Anderson Gym probably five years ago in anticipation of this happening. I think it was the summer before I even came on as AD here, so we’re set to go.”

Along with the addition of the shot clock comes the cost of installing them, as well as the cost of finding workers to operate them.

“The challenge for us will be finding another person to work the table,” adds Nielsen. “It’s a full-time job, just like running the play-clock for the football field. It adds a little bit to our table to find that worker and train them in, but we’ll be ready.”

Around 67% of schools polled by the MSHSL said that finding and training quality shot clock operators was their main concern. Other concerns included the cost of paying another person to work at home games, the cost of purchasing and installing the equipment.

According to John Millea of the MSHSL, nearly one out of four schools in the state do not want the shot clock in high school basketball.

–24% of Minnesota schools do not support implementation of shot clocks, 35% supports implementation in 2022-2023, 28% supports implementation 2023-2024, 11% supports implementation in 2024-2025 or later. https://t.co/L9oCX2eRaQ

— John Millea (@MSHSLjohn) December 2, 2021

The shot clock will be required for all schools in all classes for 2023-24 at the varsity level. Shot clocks may be used for lower levels if both coaches agree. Schools will be responsible for the cost of purchasing and installing shot clocks.